In 2005, Danny â€śThe Doctor ofâ€ť Love and Joe Gregory invited me to come to The Downtown Cafe in Heavener to have coffee with them at 5 a.m. I went and sat at a big, round table with Raymond â€śThe Mayor of Hodgenâ€ť Ellis, Dick Roberts, Donnie â€śKillerâ€ť Killion, Joey Yandell, Lonnie â€śLonzoâ€ť Renick and George â€śThe Senior Statesmanâ€ť Bailey.
Now, I was the youngest, and I talked way to much for the older Mr. Bailey. I also accidentally parked in his spot, and sat in his chair. I was quickly asked to move or he would do it for me.
I've gone to The Downtown Cafe every Friday at 5 a.m. since to hang out with all the guys and listen to all their stories. I would like to think I've learned a lot about fishing, hunting, love and life from these gentlemen.
I would like to thank every one of those guys for letting me hang out with them every Friday morning.
If I'm not fishing on Saturday mornings, I go down to Tote-A-Poke No. 1 for coffee. I've been trying for two years to sit down with those guys. They just don't let anyone sit down there â€” you have to be voted in and Carl Whitlock is the Tote-A-Poke Coffee Club president, and is strict. So, I just stand there, talk and listen to them.
I give them a fishing report and tell my stories, then leave just waiting for the day I'm asked to have a seat. Do I have to wait until someone dies or gets committed for before I can have a seat?
I've asked club member Tommy Robertson to put in a good word for me so that I may be considered for a seat. However, I do like all the stories and arguing that goes on at both locations.
Save the world, recycle.
God bless our troops and veterans.
Have a great weekend.
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Any questions or pictures, make contact with Jody Ray Adams on Facebook, on the â€śJody Ray Fishing Hotlineâ€ť at (918) 649-7387 or email to jodyray@classicnet.net.